Lecanorchis Taiwaniana orchid discovered in Assam

Recently Lecanorchis taiwaniana, one of its smallest orchids in terms of size and duration of bloom was discovered in Assam. It was discovered by Assamese forest officer Jatindra Sarma in Assam. This discovery makes it one of the smallest orchids in India in terms of size and duration of bloom to be recorded botanically.

Lecanorchis taiwaniana

It is a variant of a Japanese orchid. It was discovered earlier in Japan, Taiwan, and Laos. It is a mycoheterotroph, one of two types of parasitic plants that have abandoned photosynthesis. It derives its energy and nutrients from fungus. It has maximum height of 40 cm and a blossoming period of five-six days. It may be of herbal importance.

Significance

Lecanorchis taiwaniana adds to orchid wealth of northeast India, which has 800 of total 1,300 orchid species in the country. Around 300 orchid species are found in the Western Ghats and 200 in the northwestern Himalayas.